What is the best engine and trany to put in a '94 explorer?

[jeepdad]

:roll: I am bringing my '94 explorer 4x4 back out of storage and want to know what engine and trany to put in it since I burned up the 4.0L and trans in it now. I have a bid of 4400.00 to replace both with the OEM's but would like to know my options? Does the 4.6L V8 fit a '94 w/o changing the radiator ect. I had replaced the water pump, radiator, total brakes, ect. and don't want to again but if there is a stronger better engine for offroading/ towing I would want to do it now instead of regreting the 4 grand repair down the road. I will lift this and it will continue to see mud after its fixed. Its been stuck to its doors and probably will be again. Looking for a performance to value answer or most Bang For My Buck and did not see this addressed together in other threads due to most people replce one at a time.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You will have to replace the radiator, exhaust, computer, wiring harness, and most other stuff if you decide to swap a V8 into it.

 

[Stic-o]

302/C4

4.6 is too wide, you need a 5.0 from a 2nd gen, but a 4.0 SOHC V6 could be nice too

 

[jeepdad]

4.0 SOHC Mods

Which trans should I mate the sohc with? What other mods would it need? What kind of performance gain is there? Thanks for the 4.6 reply. its a first step in narrowing my search.